Seven Wonders Book 2: Lost in Babylon

I chose this rating because there is absolutely nothing wrong with this book.
I don't think I can say anything bad about this book. the last sentence of this book is what made me cry when I saw that the next book wasn't out yet.

These books are okay, but not great. Book 2 simply is an extension of book one. I haven't read all of them yet but they seem more like chapters. There isn't a recognizable beginning or ending. That being said they aren't bad books, they are fairly well written and this is a pretty good way for your child to pick up knowledge on ancient history and insight into the seven ancient wonders of the world.

Sorry, I had read the first book, barely made it through, so why buy this one? Honestly I was hoping the author would work the kinks out and I like to support authors, and I love love to read. These are may favorite topics and I can completely appreciate the target audience.

however this story line was more rush, disconnected than book 1. I am sorry to the author as I truly believe (and obviously the series I think is done) you have an amazing talent, but it just doesn't flow for me.

Again that is just me, try it out though, ymmv.

Characters (ok)
Story Line (would be ok but just... I don't know how to say it, jumps around, disconnected, feels.. rushed, slow then rushed).

So now we know that the 7 Loculi must be found in order to raise Atlantis and heal our four heroes. But the first Loculus from the Colossus of Rhodes was lost. And now our heroes must somehow find it and the next Loculus - in the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. Only problem is that they were destroyed thousands of years ago. Or were they?

This outing of the Seven Wonders series is better than the first. It delves deeper into the history of the objects of power and into the history of Atlantis. There are some minor factual errors - The Temple of Artemis had nothing to do with the harvest. Artemis was the goddess of the hunt, the moon, virginity. Still, it's a pretty good continuation of the series with some interesting plot developments towards the end of the book.

Onto the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus

SUMMARY: Marco has disappeared with the first of seven Loculus needed to possibly cure the four select teens who have the gene that will kill them by age fourteen. Jack, and the other two set out to find him. Following clues, the gang ends up in another ancient wonder, the lost city of Babylon, where another loculus is supposed to be stored. After many trials and tribulations as well as a run in with the enemy, the gang changes in a way none of them expects.

THE GOOD: This story was more riveting than the first. I was caught up in where was Marco and what was he up to. All along you know he is up to something, but not what actually happens. New characters enter the scene which adds interest. Again, there is plenty of predictability, but it was still exciting and never stopped me from wanting to know what happens next. There were tons of plot twists that kept me going. I listened to this on audio CD and the reader did a much better job than book one. Again, there was more about Babylon, time warps and numbers than I was interested in, but that is what will make many preteens and teens fall in love with this series.
THE NOT AS GOOD: I felt like this story was a little bit too long and occasionally took one too many turns (probably to set up the next book). I felt the author could have cut a little of the extra fat off the story and made it even better. Again there was quite a bit of violence and destruction as well as death and cruelty.

AGE RECOMMENDATION: GRADES 5-9 due to maturity and violence

REVIEWED BY MARY GRACE PENARANDA

The Cover
I wasn't really attracted to the cover when I first saw it. They could have placed more emphasis on the Hanging Garden and made it more beautiful. But, im no artist, so I guess they think it was more fitted to use this particular cover instead.

The Story
Three words. I. Love. It.

You know an author is doing something right when you just have to stay up late at night to finish a book. And that's what I just did. And I crave for more.

The second book took off where the first one left. Confusion. But that was after our three heroes undergone a process of revival after the taxing quest they've just gone through. That and the fact that Marco vanished with the single object that they've risked their lives on. But like any great friends, they showed little to no sign of doubt towards him. With the support from the Karai Institute, Jack, Cass and Aly went looking for their missing friend.

I must say, the whole story intrigued me. I enjoyed every adventure they had as if I was with them. I had a lot of questions going on and some of them were answered in this book. Some. Then new ones came popping out at the end of the book. It feels like I'm in this cycle of never-ending venture of learning and finding out answers. Teehee. It was kind of confusing at first but Mr. Lerangis gives the readers a rundown of what has happened so you'll never be lost story wise. And the ending. I just have to say, I think I saw that one coming. I mean, the possibility of it all. It was a bit obvious from the clues given. But it still surprised me. Makes me wanna time skip everything and read the next book. The usual humour was present. From time to time, I find myself chuckling or smiling while reading. So definitely a good sign.

I think the only thing that bugged me was Jack, Cass and Aly's naivety. But then if you'll think about, though they went through a lot, they are still kids. And being able to understand certain kind of things, especially in the way people works, takes experience.

My Final Verdict
More or less, Mr. Lerangis delivered the plot well. I was hooked. Though there were some aggravating moments, like too mach drag for some things to happen, it went well. This was definitely better than the first book If I may say so myself. Im giving it 4.5/5 and with the rating system goodreads have, I'll probably give it a 5 ;)

With all that being said, BRING ME THE THIRD BOOK BABY!! Teehee.

I love this book due to its amazing sci-fi experience. They don't just something happens due to magic or some hocus pocus. They actually explain it to you using actual scientific facts or theories. The way everything is explained in detail its like you can see every detail on the object their describing. They even add subtle connections to other books and TV shows or even real life. For example "were not in Kansas anymore" or "to quote Alfred Einstein". All of those have some connection to the real world.

Well, Marco is missing and the 3 remaining Select have 6 remaining loculi left to find. While book one seems to jump all over the world and packs in as many events as possible, this book takes place mostly in Babylon, as the title might indicate, but they do spend some time in Egypt at the end. Due to an irrational explanation, they do not have the use of their flying loculus for most of the book, so once again, things are left to their strength, wits, intellect, and (mostly) luck.

In this book, certain patters begin to emerge in the series, which continue throughout the rest of the books. An overuse of the word "slavering", a propensity for the main characters to make silly decisions, and arbitrary puzzles that always seem to use fractions of seven as part of their key.

There are some additional characters introduced, one or two of which are likable, and at least one massive, massive loose end that is left "hanging" (Get it, hanging gardens? Sorry, had to do it.) for the rest of the series. As before, there is plenty (tons) of fast action, which can be confusing at times. There were a few parts that I had to go back and listen to several times before I understood everything that happened and how one thing led to another.

This book really introduces the Karai vs Massa ideological conflict. The Karai are established as the "good guys" and are obviously and overtly much more "moral" except for the whole kidnapping and "can't talk to your parents" thing which is completely unrealistic and just a plot device to keep the story more simple. The Massa use guns, which immediately paints them as the "bad guys" and they are willing to wipe out an entire civilization just to get what they want. They cannot be reasoned with and have no pity or morals or respect for human life. Each side is fairly shallow, but at least the antagonists are clear, right?

Narration was the same as the previous book: very good except for the improper yelling and Bhegad's voice. There are also a few words that he pronounces incorrectly over and over, like "careening" which is pretty distracting and annoying.

Regardless of faults, the good still outweighed the bad for me in this book. I am willing to give it a 4.

I absolutely loved The Colossus Rises. Not once had I ever heard of the concept of the Seven Wonders used as a fantasy story theme. The first book left me wanting more, and I got it. This book was simply enthralling. Every page was interesting, and there were traces of humor as well. This series is not all that popular, but I definitely recommend it to Harry Potter or Septimus Heap fans. The plot is not predictable, and the characters are deep. I feel like I am really in the story, and I am amazed at Lerangis's ability to immerse you into a book. I could not put this down from the minute I got it.

The Good: These books are so fun and educational. Even as an adult, I learn some new-to-me history in each one. This installation even had a big surprise that totally threw me. Fast paced, yet easy to follow, these books are perfect for the middle school crowd.

The Bad: Dreams. I hate dream sequences. I find them annoying and confusing to the story as a whole, but that's more a general personal preference issue rather than a problem specific to this book.

So cool. The ending is definitely unpredictable but I won't spoil the book for you, but I recommend you get the next book along with this one. It's called "The Tomb of Shadows". If I hadn't gotten the next book instantly I would have gone crazy because of the cliff hanger. Get the next book on Overdrive that way it's free. AWSOME book.

According to my 11 year old daughter, Myleah: I really liked this book, especially when Marco, Ally, Cass, and Jack - four kids with a gene (G7W) that gives them powers and makes them die at fourteen, time travel over to ancient Babylon. The most interesting part in the book in my opinion is when they go to the king's hunting grounds to kill the mushushu, a legendary monster, and meet the rebels. The most shocking part, is when Jack finds out that his mother is working for the enemy.

i didn't like this book because it had a bad word in it and if this is going to be a childrens book it shouldn't be listed under that genre its not a good book for kids and in fact i do not recommend this book to anyone under age 18

I was shocked to open this book to see, on page 9, a reference to a song with the line "I set your dog on fire and..." The narrator of the story finds this line "funny in a messed-up way." We can only assume, then, that the author Peter Lerangis finds animal abuse hilarious. That is absolutely sick. I don't want my children growing up to think that animal abuse is funny.